Democrat's Budget rewards politicians who raised taxes

Rock Island... Last January, Democrat Governor Pat Quinn and Representative Pat Verschoore pushed through a 67% increase in the state's income tax, now they feel they deserve a pay raise.  Based upon the budget introduced by Governor Quinn, legislators and the Governor himself would receive thousands in new pay raises and that is out-of-line and out-of-touch according to Jonathan Wallace, Republican candidate for State Representative.

"Raising taxes to pay for politician's lofty salaries is unacceptable and tone deaf to the issues facing working families," Wallace stated.  "Illinois faces nearly $9 billion in unpaid bills, a number that could grow to over $20 billion in a few short years and yet the Democrat budget is prepared to spend thousands on pay raises for legislators and even the Governor."

Further examination of the Governor's proposal has uncovered pay increases for the State's constitutional officers and legislators, including the Governor's own salary.  Under the proposal Governor Quinn would see his salary jump by $1,600 to $179,100.  In all, the proposal includes over $250,000 in pay increases for these elected officials, which is nearly $1 million dollars higher than it was in FY2011.  

The Governor's proposal stands in direct contrast to Wallace's plan to cut the salary of all Illinois House Representatives by 25%.

"I signed a 'Contract with the 72nd',  in which I pledged to take a 25% salary cut and author legislation requiring other legislators to do the same. The average family in Illinois paid over $1,000 more in taxes last year, but the Governor and legislators would use that tax money to provide themselves with pay raises," Wallace added.  "While the Governor talks about shared sacrifice, it seems the only people sacrificing are those paying for the politicians pay raises."

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Documentation Will Support Request for Federal Assistance

 

SPRINGFIELD - March 1, 2012. Governor Pat Quinn today asked the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to assist with damage assessments in several Southern Illinois counties devastated by tornadoes and severe storms early Wednesday morning. The assessments, which will begin on Monday, will provide the documentation necessary to support a request for federal assistance.

 

"I've seen the destruction firsthand and it is critical that we get needed resources to our impacted communities right away," Governor Quinn said. "We must do everything possible to expedite this process and jumpstart our recovery in Southern Illinois."

 

Personnel from FEMA, IEMA, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and local emergency management agencies will begin assessing damage to homes and businesses on Monday. The assessments, which are expected to be completed by the end of the week, will be conducted in Gallatin, Massac, Perry, Pulaski, Randolph, Saline, Union and Williamson counties.

 

"We'll work closely with FEMA to complete the damage assessments as quickly as possible," said Jonathon Monken, director of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA).  Monken said IEMA will have staff in the area over the weekend to meet with local officials in preparation for the damage assessments.

 

Immediately after surveying the damage and meeting with residents, local officials and first-responders in Harrisburg on Wednesday, Governor Quinn issued a state disaster proclamation for the southern third of Illinois. The declaration ensures that state resources and personnel are available to assist with response and recovery efforts.  A state disaster declaration is also needed in order to request federal assistance.

 

The State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) in Springfield remains activated to coordinate state assistance to the affected areas. Representatives from several state agencies, including the Illinois Department of Transportation, Illinois State Police, Department of Natural Resources, Department of Central Management Services, Illinois Commerce Commission, Illinois Department of Public Health, Illinois Department of Corrections and Illinois Emergency Management Agency, are stationed at the SEOC to manage requests for assets, personnel and resources from their departments.

 

Friday's weather forecast for Southern Illinois calls for the potential for more severe storms, and the state is encouraging people to take steps now to prepare. In addition to an emergency preparedness kit stocked with bottled water, non-perishable food, flashlight, batteries and a first aid kit, Monken said a NOAA weather alert radio is a critical preparedness tool. The radios receive watches and warnings 24 hours a day and can alert people to approaching danger in time for them to get to a safe place.

 

More information about weather alert radios and severe weather preparedness is available on the Ready Illinois website at www.Ready.Illinois.gov.

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UPLAND, IN (03/01/2012)(readMedia)-- Brett Vacek of East Moline, IL was named to the Fall 2011 Dean's List at Taylor University.

Full-time students are named to the Dean's List when they have earned a GPA of 3.60 or higher for the term and at least 12 hours carry credit point values.

About Taylor University: Founded in 1846, Taylor University is an interdenominational liberal arts university of evangelical faith located in Upland, Ind. The 2012 U.S. News and World Report survey America's Best Colleges ranked Taylor the number one Baccalaureate College in the Midwest. It marked Taylor's fifth straight number one ranking.

Taylor University is a member of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU).

Movie theater audiences nationwide will sing along with Donny Osmond this spring in Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. NCM Fathom and Omniverse Vision present this fully staged pre-recorded production in more than 500 movie theaters on Monday, March 26 at 8:00 p.m. ET / 7:00 p. m. CT / 6:00 p.m. MT / 8:00 p.m. PT/HI/AK; and again on Wednesday, April 4 at 7:00 p.m. (all time zones). This exclusive never-before-seen sing-along version with subtitles for audiences to join in also features an introduction and question-and-answer session with Osmond live from Salt Lake City.
Tickets for Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat are available at participating theater box offices and online at www.FathomEvents.com.
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat will be playing at the following theaters in your area on Mar. 26:
RVE Davenport 53 18 with IMAX 3601 E 53Rd St Davenport IA 52807 7:00 PM
Click here for tickets on Apr. 4.
Dear Quad City Resident,

Help Davenport win a state-wide contest, which will bring resources to our Quad City region.

 

Davenport is a finalist to become a Blue Zones Community™, which is a program to help people live longer, healthier lives.

 

If Davenport wins, then the Quad Cities wins because we will leverage these resources for the entire region.That's why we're sending you this email - so you'll join us in pledging to support for this project, so our community can be selected.

 

We are especially looking for people who live or work in Davenport to take a pledge to support this project and use their Davenport zip code.

 

So please, take a minute to vote for Davenport as a Blue Zones Community.

 

Here is what you can do:

 

Text BZP to 772937

- or -

 

Go to http://www.bluezonesproject.com/citizens/signup

 

And ask others to do the same. Because this simple act could have a positive impact on all of us for years to come.

 

Here's to our well-being!

Proposal strengthens information sharing and encourages private sector innovation

 

Washington, DC - U.S. Senators John McCain (R-AZ), Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Saxby Chambliss (R-GA), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Dan Coats (R-IN), Ron Johnson (R-WI), and Richard Burr (R-NC) today introduced the Strengthening and Enhancing Cybersecurity by Using Research, Education, Information, and Technology Act (SECURE IT), their proposal to protect and secure our nation against cybersecurity attacks.

 

"The SECURE IT Act strengthens America's cybersecurity by promoting collaboration and information-sharing, updating our criminal laws to account for the growing cyber threat and enhancing research programs to protect our critical networks," said Senator John McCain. "This legislation will help us begin to meet the very real threat of cyber attack."

 

"We are all in agreement that we need to make our nation's cybersecurity a top priority. I believe we have come up with a strong common sense approach that will help prevent the spread of cyberattacks from network to network and across the Internet, by removing barriers to sharing information about threats, attacks, and strategies for improvement," Senator Hutchison said.  "Our bill focuses on giving businesses the tools they need to protect themselves from the looming threat of cyber criminals, and increased requirements for notification of threats to federal agencies."

 

"As our nation faces increasing cyber attacks in a critical economic environment, we must ensure that the private sector has the authority it needs to defend its own networks and share cyber threat information to prevent future attacks," Senator Chambliss said. "Now is not the time for Congress to be adding more government, more regulation, and more debt - especially when it is far from clear that any of it will enhance our security. Our bill offers the right solution to improving our nation's cybersecurity by encouraging collaboration, investment, and innovation."

"Our bill represents a new way forward in protecting the American people and the country's cyber infrastructure from attack.  It's a bill that can be supported by all partners that have an interest in cybersecurity. Instead of the heavy hand of the government, our approach promotes information sharing and keeps the taxpayers' wallets close," said Senator Grassley.

 

"Rather than arming Homeland Security with expansive new regulatory authority over every sector of our economy, the SECURE IT cyber bill we've introduced today emphasizes a partnership approach between the government and private entities. By focusing on those areas like information sharing where bipartisan agreement is achievable, we can tackle the cyber issue in a meaningful and constructive way," said Sen. Murkowski.

 

"After September 11, we broke down the barriers to information sharing and provided our intelligence and law enforcement professionals with the tools they need to keep us safe.  Today, we must break down similar barriers that exist in cyber security to respond to the increasing number of attacks against private companies and the federal government," said Senator Coats. "The SECURE IT Act will enable robust information sharing without creating costly layers of government bureaucracy or imposing new regulatory burdens on American businesses."

 

"This bill recognizes that industry is at the center of any solution. It's a sensible step forward that allows industry to invest in innovation and job creation rather than compliance. Imposing a costly and bureaucratic regulatory regime is the wrong approach to national security. New regulations will slow down innovation and investment while companies wait years for the government to introduce outdated standards," said Sen. Johnson. "The regulatory process simply cannot keep up with the rapid pace of technology."

 

"Cyber security is essential to our national security, and this bill takes a step in the right direction to ensure that our nation has the proper defenses in place to address threats to our nation's systems and infrastructure.   This bill takes fiscally responsible measures to protect against cyber threats by enhancing research and development, updating enforcement tools and penalties to reflect current threats, and promoting voluntary information sharing between the public and private sector without creating unnecessary bureaucracy or regulations," said Senator Burr.

 

Co-sponsors of the proposal are U.S. Sens. John McCain, Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Kay Bailey Hutchison, Ranking Member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, Chuck Grassley, Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Saxby Chambliss, Vice Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, Lisa Murkowski, Ranking Member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, Dan Coats, Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, and Ron Johnson, Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of Columbia, and Richard Burr, Ranking Member of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee.

 

The SECURE IT Act will:

 

·         Improve cybersecurity by collaborating with industry and eliminating barriers to enhanced information sharing.

 

·         Create expedited information sharing for private sector using existing structures and reporting relationships.

 

·         Require federal contractors who provide telecommunications or cybersecurity services for the federal government to report to the government cyber threat information related to those services.

 

·         Strengthen criminal statutes for cyber crimes.

 

·         Update the Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA) and preserve the roles of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the Department of Commerce in disseminating security standards for the federal government.

 

·         Leverage and strengthen existing programs in cybersecurity research and development.

 

Here is a copy of the text of Grassley's statement at today's press conference.

 

The group you see here today saw a need to develop cybersecurity protections that focused on avoiding new federal government bureaucracies, reforming existing programs, and not adding additional, burdensome regulations that may stifle innovation and growth in the private sector.

 

We felt the best approach was to focus on strengthening Cybersecurity defenses. We do this by coordinating the public and private sectors to work together.  Creating a collaborative partnership between the private sector and the federal government will foster an information sharing system that helps detect, eliminate, and prevent cyber threats.  Our legislation is something that all partners involved in protecting our cyber networks can fully stand behind.

 

As the Ranking Member of the Judiciary Committee, I have focused my involvement on the criminal law provisions, legal barriers to information sharing, civil liberty and privacy protections, as well as whistleblower protections.

 

Our bill will break down the legal barriers, such as antitrust and liability issues.  In the past, these barriers prohibited business and industry from sharing cyber threat information with the government or industry partners.  The bill includes provisions to ensure that confidentiality and personal privacy are engrained in the information sharing.  It also includes a provision ensuring that no preexisting whistleblower protection law is changed by this legislation.  We also update criminal statutes and streamline the existing, confusing penalty structure in the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act.  And, it reins in prosecutions.  These prosecutions have raised concerns by advocates on both sides of the political spectrum.  If left unchanged, they could lead to average citizens being prosecuted as federal felons.

 

Beyond the Judiciary Committee provisions, and very importantly, our legislation adheres to our core principle of keeping the government's regulatory reach out of the private sector.  We avoid complicated regulatory regimes that will stifle innovation and job growth.

 

Our approach has been laid out for many months.  It achieves consensus and can gain the support of many Senators.

 

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Sales of U.S. food and agricultural products to China have grown by 80 percent in 3 years

AMES, Iowa, March 1, 2012–Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will lead an agricultural trade mission to China at the end of March to strengthen partnerships between U.S. and Chinese businesses and enhance job growth in the United States. The trade mission is expected to be USDA's largest to date, with more than 40 U.S. agribusinesses and representatives from six State Departments of Agriculture set to accompany Acting Under Secretary Michael Scuse to Chengdu and Shanghai, two of China's largest cities.

In 2011, China moved into the top spot as the number one market for U.S. agricultural goods, purchasing $20 billion in U.S. agricultural exports. U.S. farm exports to China supported more than 160,000 American jobs in 2011.

"This trade mission, USDA's largest to date, offers American businesses the opportunity to position themselves to enter or expand their presence in China, one of our strongest trading partners," said Vilsack. "China and the United States share a special relationship, and we embrace this opportunity to continue our in-depth dialogue on issues of mutual concern. At the same time, we want to ensure that our American farmers, ranchers and producers continue to be recognized across China and the Asia Pacific as reliable suppliers of the highest-quality food and agricultural products."

Last month, Vilsack hosted China's Vice President Xi Jinping and Agriculture Minister Han Changfu at the first U.S.-China Agricultural Symposium in Des Moines. The agriculture ministers signed a Plan of Strategic Cooperation that will guide the two countries' agricultural relationship for the next five years. The plan focuses on agricultural science, trade and education, and looks to deepen cooperation through technical exchanges and strengthen coordination in key priority areas, including food security and emerging technologies.

Scuse will lead the trade mission to China from March 23-28, beginning in Chengdu, one of the most important economic, transportation, and communication centers in western China and home of USDA's newest Agricultural Trade Office. Participants will then travel on to Shanghai, a hub of global commerce and the most populous city in the world. The goal of the mission is to provide U.S. participants with first-hand market information, access to government decision makers, and one-on-one meetings with business contacts, potential agents, distributers, and importers so they can position themselves to enter or expand their presence in China.

While in China, Scuse will meet with Chinese government and agricultural officials and U.S. agribusiness, and will visit agricultural production and development sites. Ambassador Islam Siddiqui, Chief Agricultural Negotiator for the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, will also join Scuse to open the USA Pavilion at the Food Ingredients China Trade Show in Shanghai on March 28.

The Obama Administration, with Agriculture Secretary Vilsack's leadership, has aggressively worked to expand export opportunities and reduce barriers to trade, helping to push agricultural exports to record levels in 2011 and beyond. U.S. agriculture is currently experiencing one of its best periods in history thanks to the productivity, resiliency, and resourcefulness of our producers and agribusinesses. Today, net farm income is at record levels while debt has been cut in half since the 1980s. Overall, American agriculture supports 1 in 12 jobs in the United States and provides American consumers with 83 percent of the food we consume, while maintaining affordability and choice. Strong agricultural exports contribute to a positive U.S. trade balance, create jobs, boost economic growth and support President Obama's National Export Initiative goal of doubling all U.S. exports by the end of 2014.

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Washington, DC - House Committee on Agriculture Chairman Frank Lucas (OK-03) today announced a series of field hearings on the 2012 Farm Bill that will take place throughout the country in March and April, with the second hearing to take place on March 23rd in Galesburg, Illinois in the district of Congressman Bobby Schilling (IL-17).  This hearing will give members of the Agriculture Committee the opportunity to hear firsthand from Illinois farmers and regional stakeholders about their priorities for the next farm bill. 

"This field hearing represents a great opportunity for folks on the Agriculture Committee to come out to Illinois and meet with the 'final three feet' - our area's farmers and producers- to get their input on policies that will allow the U.S. to continue to yield affordable and high-quality food products for our friends and families," Schilling said. "Many thanks to Chairman Lucas and staff on the Committee for recognizing our area's invaluable agricultural contributions to our food supply.  From crop insurance to conservation and rural development to research, this next farm bill represents a great opportunity for rural America and I'm proud that Illinois' 17th District will be one of the settings for this debate."

"I am pleased to announce a farm bill field hearing in Congressman Schilling's district," Chairman Lucas said. "This will be a great opportunity to meet members of the agriculture community in his district, recognize the contributions our farmers make for this nation and around the world, and discuss the challenges our producers continue to face.   We need more members like Congressman Schilling who understand and appreciate agriculture because now, more than ever, it is important that we stand strongly together in support of production agriculture and rural economies."

The schedule of upcoming field hearings can be found below.  For those unable to attend the hearings, the Agriculture Committee plans to provide a live webcast here.

Friday, March 9, 2012 - 9:00 a.m. EST
North Country Community College, Sparks Athletic Complex
23 Santanoni Ave
Saranac Lake, NY 12983

Friday, March 23, 2012 - 9:00 a.m. CDT
Carl Sandburg College, Student Center Building B
2400 Tom L. Wilson Blvd.
Galesburg, IL 61401

Friday, March 30, 2012 - 9:00 a.m. CDT
Riceland Hall, Fowler Center
Arkansas State University
201 Olympic Drive
State University, AR 72467

Friday, April 20, 2012 - 9:00 a.m. CDT
Magouirk Conference Center
4100 W. Comanche
Dodge City, KS 67801

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DES MOINES, IOWA - U.S. Senator Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) today announced that his office is accepting applications for nominations to the United States' military academies for the class entering in the summer of 2013.  Senator Harkin will nominate up to ten Iowans for every opening at each academy, with final selection for admission made by the individual academy.  

"Each year, I look forward to recommending outstanding young Iowans to the service academies.  It is a genuine honor," Harkin said.

Our nation's military academies offer Iowans outstanding educational opportunities for young people interested in military service.  Students can specialize in a variety of fields at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, the Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs and the Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point.

Senator Harkin also enjoyed a successful military career, having joined the Navy and served as a jet pilot after graduating from Iowa State University in 1962.

High school guidance counselors across the state have information about the application procedures prospective candidates must follow.  Senator Harkin uses a competitive method to screen applicants, including the evaluation of ACT or SAT scores, high school grade point average, leadership abilities, and physical aptitude.  Harkin has also appointed an academy selection committee that conducts personal interviews with academy finalists.

Interested individuals should complete Senator Harkin's Service Academy Nomination application which can be found on his website, harkin.senate.gov.   Any additional questions should be directed to his Academy Nomination Coordinator, Tom Larkin, at 319-365-4504.

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3 cases demonstrate impact of Coast Guard missions

WASHINGTON – Coast Guard Sector Columbia River, Ore., has since Sunday taken action in three unrelated marine safety cases that has protected the environment, protected mariners and protected the maritime transportation system in the Port of Portland, Ore.

Sector Columbia River's recent activity began around 11 a.m. Sunday with notification from the 648-foot, car carrier Morning Spruce of the vessel's loss of engine power while 12 miles southwest of the Columbia River bar, leaving the vessel adrift in 12-foot seas.  The Coast Guard Captain of the Port issued an order directing the owner of the Morning Spruce to immediately contract for tow vessels to hold the ship offshore.  In addition to its cargo the Morning Spruce was reportedly carrying a combined 543,000 gallons of heavy oil, diesel and lube oil.

Engine power was restored around 3:30 p.m. Sunday and the Coast Guard monitored the progress of the vessel, escorted by the tug Kokua, as it cleared the Columbia River bar.  The Kokua and Morning Spruce were joined by another tug, the Vancouver, for the transit to Portland, Ore.  The Coast Guard then made preparations for an inspection of the Morning Spruce as it arrived in Portland.

Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Portland's Port State Control Branch conducted an inspection of the Morning Spruce Tuesday, revealing numerous safety hazards, resulting in the detention of the vessel.  The safety hazards included excessive oil in machinery spaces, inadequate patches made on the vessel's fire-main piping, heavy hydraulic oil leaks and inadequate fire control boundaries.  The control action will remain in effect until the violations are corrected and verified through follow up inspections.

Meanwhile, a Coast Guard Vessel Boarding and Safety Team from Sector Columbia River boarded the 738-foot freighter Laconia, Tuesday, as part of a port state control boarding.  Alerted by Customs and Border Protection agents already aboard, the Coast Guard team conducted alcohol tests of the master of the ship, suspecting the captain was intoxicated based upon CBP agents' observations and their discovery of open containers of alcohol found within the captain's stateroom.

As a result of the breathalyzer test, the Coast Guard boarding team removed the master and transferred him to the custody of Coast Guard Investigative Service agents.  The Coast Guard then required the owner of the Laconia to acquire a replacement for the ship's captain prior to the freighter's departure from its anchorage.

The Coast Guard Captain of the Port Columbia River issued bar closures Wednesday for Depoe Bay and the Siuslaw River due to dangerous high surf and offshore weather conditions.  The closure protects mariners and the maritime transportation system by reducing the risks associated with bar crossings made under severe conditions.

"Together, the actions taken by Sector Columbia River demonstrate how the Coast Guard preserves the maritime business commons by reducing the risk and uncertainty of the maritime environment and how the Coast Guard's vigilant maritime safety and security presence enables American prosperity," said Cmdr. Chris O'Neil, chief of media relations for the Coast Guard.  "According to the Port of Portland, more than 550 oceangoing vessels called upon facilities in the Port of Portland in calendar year 2011, carrying to and from the port more than 13.1 million short tons of cargo, including more than 941,000 short tons of breakbulk cargo, 197,000 containers, 4.7 million short tons of grain, 234,000 autos and 5.2 million short tons of bulk mineral cargo."

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